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Ask Amy: Family reunion presents concerns for a trans youth

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:13 GMT

Dear Amy: Every year my extended family meets for a summer reunion.Two of us are gay.Starting when he was quite young, we assumed that my nephew was also gay.No one talked about it, it was just assumed he’d figure it out and it wouldn’t be a big deal.Two years ago, when he was16, he started growing and dyeing his hair and wearing nail polish, but still referred to himself as a “he.” We assumed he was either doing the teenager thing or was about to tell us he was gay.Well, we were wrong. He’s not heterosexual (no shock) but has decided he’s trans and now goes by the gender-neutral name “Ash.”Now Ash is making baby steps into the world as a trans person.To say my family is less than supportive is an understatement.Gay they’re OK with, but I guess trans is a bridge too far (this includes Ash’s parents).Our annual get together is coming up and my plan is to wait and see how Ash refers to themself and take it from there.But I’m petrified about ho...

NextGenerationEU: Commission endorses Italy's third payment request and a targeted revision of its recovery and resilience plan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:13 GMT

The European Commission has endorsed a positive preliminary assessment of 54 milestones and targets linked to Italy's third payment request under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the key instrument at the heart of NextGenerationEU. It also endorsed the targeted revision of Italy's plan, related to the fourth payment request.Italy's third payment requestOn 30 December 2022, Italy submitted to the Commission a third payment request based on the milestones and targets set out in the Council Implementing Decision. After assessing the evidence provided by the Italian authorities, the Commission considered 39 milestones and 15 targets to be satisfactorily fulfilled.One target related to the number of new places in student accommodation was not covered by the assessment. Italy has requested to amend this target and replace it with a milestone related to the awarding of initial contracts for providing new places in student accommodation. This milestone will be added to the f...

Create inviting and functional utility spaces

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:13 GMT

Housework is inevitable. But a brand new home gives the buyer an opportunity to improve the productivity and enjoyment factors of day-to-day housework. The keys to good quality utility spaces are functionality and cleanliness that inspire the homeowner to use them.Rather than saving these spaces for last, plan them during construction and involve the builder as you make decisions. By creating spaces that are organized, clean and crisp, daily tasks will feel easier to handle.Love the laundryLaundry is family, too. There’s no way around it. But the laundry room doesn’t need to be stark, boring, poorly lit and uninspiring. The opposite might even improve functionality and desirability of the space.If wall space allows, go ahead and hang small items that make you smile. But focus on organizing rather than decorating.A small dry-erase board with a dry-erase marker attached to a string, for instance, allows members to leave smiley faces or notes saying, “The red shirt in the washing machi...

Single-family residence in Oakland sells for $1.7 million

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:13 GMT

4964 Proctor Avenue – Google Street ViewA house located in the 4900 block of Proctor Avenue in Oakland has a new owner. The 1,495-square-foot property, built in 1993, was sold on June 8, 2023. The $1,652,000 purchase price works out to $1,105 per square foot. The layout of this single-story house consists of two bedrooms and one bath. In addition, the house includes a two-car garage. The lot of the property is substantial, measuring 5,916 square feet.These nearby houses have also recently been purchased:In December 2022, a 2,400-square-foot home on Proctor Avenue in Oakland sold for $2,080,500, a price per square foot of $867. The home has 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.A 1,739-square-foot home on the 5800 block of Morpeth Street in Oakland sold in September 2022, for $1,875,000, a price per square foot of $1,078. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.On Florence Avenue, Oakland, in May 2023, a 2,590-square-foot home was sold for $2,237,500, a price per square foot of $864. The home h...

Horoscopes Aug. 3, 2023: Martin Sheen, say no to grand ideas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:13 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Evangeline Lilly, 44; Michael Ealy, 50; Martha Stewart, 82; Martin Sheen, 83.Happy Birthday: Don’t let uncertainty weigh you down if applying your skills will help you reach your objective. Stay focused on what’s important to you, and adapt your skills and expertise to suit trends. You have plenty to gain if you keep your plans simple and within budget. Say no to grand ideas and concepts and yes to what works and helps you move forward. Your numbers are 4, 10, 23, 26, 33, 35, 48.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Avoid costly situations and emotional, financial or physical risks. Distance yourself from temptation and people who expect too much from you. Consider your needs and how best to make your dreams come true. It’s your life; take control and make decisions that benefit you. 3 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): High energy and intelligence will lead to opportunities that increase your profile. Your ability to show compassion and discipline w...

Bridge: Aug. 3, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:13 GMT

Unlucky Louie was getting a drink in the club lounge when he slipped on a lemon peel, crashed into the bar, and raised a goose-egg-sized knot on his noggin.“I’m okay,” Louie said when we got him upright.“Don’t worry,” Cy the Cynic told him. “The club’s insurance will cover you. If you bump your head, you get a lump-sum payment.”Louie needed to take out insurance as today’s declarer. He and North got to four spades, the only game with a chance, on a 4-3 fit. West led a heart, and East won and shifted to the queen of clubs.FOURTH TRUMPLouie won and cashed the three top trumps. When East discarded, Louie couldn’t afford to concede the fourth trump. He started the diamonds, but West ruffed the third diamond, and East got two more hearts.Louie could insure against a 4-2 trump break. At Trick Three he must play a low trump from both hands. The defense is helpless. If for instance East leads another club, Louie wins, draws t...

Word Game: Aug. 3, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:13 GMT

TODAY’S WORD — DEDICATE (DEDICATE: DED-ih-kate: To set apart for a specific use; to inscribe or address by way of compliment.)Average mark 22 wordsTime limit 35 minutesCan you find 29 or more words in DEDICATE? The list will be published tomorrow.YESTERDAY’S WORD — PHENOMENA pane panne peahen peen penne peon phone poem pome pone heap hemp henna home hone hope enema name nape neap neon none omen open mane mean moan mope aeon ahem amen anemone anonTo purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!RULES OF THE GAME:1. Words must be of four or more letters.2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.Con...

Myers: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:13 GMT

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Myers Industries Inc. (MYE) on Thursday reported net income of $10.6 million in its second quarter.On a per-share basis, the Akron, Ohio-based company said it had net income of 29 cents. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, came to 35 cents per share.The maker of plastic products posted revenue of $208.5 million in the period.Myers expects full-year earnings in the range of $1.55 to $1.85 per share._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on MYE at https://www.zacks.com/ap/MYESource

Oaktree Specialty Lending: Fiscal Q3 Earnings Snapshot

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:13 GMT

LOS ANGLES, Calif. (AP) — LOS ANGLES, Calif. (AP) — Oaktree Specialty Lending Corp. (OCSL) on Thursday reported fiscal third-quarter net income of $36.7 million.On a per-share basis, the Los Angles, California-based company said it had net income of 48 cents. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, came to 62 cents per share.The results fell short of Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of four analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 63 cents per share.The specialty finance company posted revenue of $101.9 million in the period, which beat Street forecasts. Four analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $101.3 million._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on OCSL at https://www.zacks.com/ap/OCSLSource

Acushnet: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:13 GMT

FAIRHAVEN, Mass. (AP) — FAIRHAVEN, Mass. (AP) — Acushnet Holdings Corp. (GOLF) on Thursday reported second-quarter earnings of $74.7 million.On a per-share basis, the Fairhaven, Massachusetts-based company said it had net income of $1.09.The results beat Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of six analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 93 cents per share.The golf products maker posted revenue of $689.4 million in the period, also topping Street forecasts. Seven analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $674.8 million.Acushnet expects full-year revenue in the range of $2.35 billion to $2.4 billion._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on GOLF at https://www.zacks.com/ap/GOLFSource